The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones can completely block out outside noise. Choose headphones that feature active noise cancellation and batteries that can last for at minimum 20 hours with music playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature an excellent ANC feature, a simple on-ear control, as well as an easy-to-use app. The default sound profile offers the sound of a thump and a punch, however vocals and instruments can be nudged to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are an excellent pair of headphones for those who want to enjoy the best wireless over-ear headset. The headphones are light, have a soft carrying bag and can be folded flat to fit in your bag. The controls on the touch are intuitive and easy to use, and the battery will last for 30 hours without ANC. They also have an auto-pause feature which shuts off your headphones when they're removed from your head to conserve battery.
The WH-1000XM5 are compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an extensive array of features that can be used to tailor your audio experience. The app can also be used to track your location and tailor the sound quality of the environment you are in. They also come with an inbuilt microphone that can be used to make calls without hands. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is able to play music using Bluetooth or a wired connection using the included cable. They are compatible with aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive to play high quality audio via Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4, the WH1000XM5 is light and comfortable with a well-padded headband and ear cups. These headphones are comfortable to wear and can be worn for extended periods. They are also ideal for longer flights and commutes. They're noise-cancelling headphones that can cut down background noise but not sacrifice clarity or clarity. The Sony WH-1000XM5 offer a decent amount of bass for a pair of closed back headphones and they provide a great soundstage, with an excellent separation of instruments and vocals.
They have a low latency for watching videos, which is a plus. The lag is low enough that it's virtually undetectable and they are able to be used for casual gaming. They're not the ideal choice for video games that compete and are ideal for those who will be using them for media consumption and to make calls that are hands-free.
Sony is very committed to infusing smart features into their products and the WH-1000XM5 are not an exception. The active noise cancellation is one of the best I've heard and they come with a set of smart functions to improve the overall listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to near-hi-res quality. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology which streams higher-bitrate music over Bluetooth.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the launch of the first generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have frequently featured on top lists of wireless headsets and putting them in the same class as the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort. Its newest model, the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the original headphones to a higher level, with improved ANC performance and a new design.
In the earcups, 40mm bio cellulose drivers are bent to point straight at your eardrums, delivering an audio experience that is more intimate than many other closed-back headphones can manage. The PX7 S2 lives up to this bold claim. The vocals are clear, and the bass is deep when needed.
The PX7 S2 is also very excellent at making calls. It has a crisp, clear sound that does not overpower your voice. The PX7 S2 also offers an extremely fast charge that will allow you to return fully charged in just two hours. They're also compatible with high-resolution music due to the aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc, which allows the playback of 24-bit audio.
For most listeners the most significant upgrade is the improved noise cancellation and audio performance. In our tests, we were able to eliminate nearly all of the airplane noises simulated by the PX7 S2. They also excelled in Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus which offer an excellent understanding of the changing dynamics between the solo vocalist, the wind trio, and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s are not only noise-cancelling, but they have a variety of other features that make them comparable to other top-rated headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which means you can pair them with two devices simultaneously They also come with a built-in microphone that allows hands-free calls with your phone's assistant. The construction is durable and top-quality and will last you for many years.
Of course, they're not perfect. The clamp force on our test models was a little tighter than we'd prefer and there aren't as many additional features in the app as other options, but these aren't major complaints. The PX7 S2s are an excellent wireless headphone that rivals the best in their class, and it's difficult to imagine them being defeated by any other headphone.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who appreciate high fidelity and are looking for an exceptional wireless noise-canceling headset, the Focal Bathys are difficult to beat. The Focal Bathys are the very first ANC headphones made by a French audio company to use Bluetooth. They offer amazing sound quality both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device that supports true hi-fi listeners with up to 24-bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are stunning with their glossy finishes and swooping curvatures that like Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are made from premium materials such as magnesium and aluminum, which make them feel sturdy and comfortable. They are also worth the cost.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys deliver a crisp and lively sound quality that easily outperforms similarly priced consumer ANC options like the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode allows them to be further pushed which makes them a fantastic option for true hifi listeners.
The Focal &Naim app allows users to alter the headphone's playback controls as well as Bluetooth pairing preferences. They can choose between silent or soft intensities for ANC and alter the brightness of LEDs on the ear cups, and adjust the EQ settings. The app isn't complete however it provides enough features to warrant the cost of downloading.
The most notable flaw is that the active noise cancellation does not perform as well as the competition. The headphone isn't able to block out all the background noise as the most rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its Treble accuracy is subpar with a muffled mid to high-end that can be distracting from the sound of instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't very transportable. The ear cups aren't foldable down and weigh a bit more than their counterparts, which means that they're not ideal for travel. They're ideal for in a home setting where they can be used for lengthy listening sessions or as a reference headphone for sound engineering purposes. The Bathys are comfortable to wear over long periods of time despite their size and bulk.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N headset is a fantastic pair of wireless over-ear headsets for the price. They have a solid noise-cancelling system that is capable of quelling ambient noise, making them perfect for those who commute and travel. They also add an appealing high-end look with their durable construction and attractive matte finish.
They have a similar design to Sony's newer 1000X and XB910N headphones. They feature a slim plastic headband with the usual hinges on the earcups. They are light and comfortable, however they're a bit tight for my taste. In the box, they have a USB-C port for charging and the 3.5mm jack and a decent length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can connect to two devices at once if you want.
In my tests the CH720N's noise-cancelling technology was able to do great job of reducing background noise, with just a couple of notable blips while walking through Waterloo station and London Victoria. These weren't magical sound-silencers which blocked out every sound, however, they struggled with lower frequency noises such as the rumbling engine noises of buses and trains.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and displayed a low harmonic distortion. I tried a variety of genres and found that they handled the intricate interplay among instruments with ease. It did an excellent job of controlling the bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix focused.
I like the ability to adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to customize the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to your preference and also include a variety of audio presets. wireless over the head headphones can also utilize the app to activate DSEE, which upsacles compressed content and enhances its audio quality.
The WH-CH720N isn't equipped with some of Sony's primetime functions compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention) they do come with a solid feature set for PS130. 360 Reality Audio, smart controls, and DSEE upscaling are all present. The only thing that is not included is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support I think it would have been a welcomed inclusion.